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Top 49 Tennessee Scholarships in March 2024

Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

Full Bio

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and Cece Gilmore

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Edited by Maria Geiger

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Updated: March 3rd, 2024

Known for its rich musical history in Memphis and Nashville and the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Tennessee is a great state for everyone. The “Volunteer State” has a number of outstanding colleges and opportunities for Tennessee scholarships as well. Check out our list of the top Tennessee scholarships for college and graduate students!

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Scholarship Review Process

The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

  • The scholarship requires a fee to apply
  • The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
  • The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
  • Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
  • The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
  • The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
  • The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
  • There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
  • The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
  • There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!


* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

Learn about our editorial policies
49 scholarships
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Tennessee Promise

Offered by Tennesee

Multiple awards worth Unmet Tuition + Fees Costs
Deadline Nov 1, 2024
Grade Level High School Senior

Offered by Tennesee

Are you a college-bound high school senior or GED recipient who will be attending any of Tennessee's 13 community colleges or 27 colleges of applied…Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior or GED recipient who will be attending any of Tennessee's 13 community colleges or 27 colleges of applied…Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior or GED recipient who will be attending any of Tennessee's 13 community colleges or 27 colleges of applied technology? If so, Tennessee Promise may be a great opportunity for you! Tennessee Promise works as a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it may cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the federal Pell Grant, the HOPE Scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award at any of the state’s 13 community colleges or 27 colleges of applied technology. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must submit their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by April 15th and apply for the scholarship itself by November 1st of the year they graduate from high school. To maintain eligibility for the Tennessee Promise scholarship, recipients must complete eight (8) hours of community service each semester. If you'll be attending any of Tennessee's 13 community colleges or 27 colleges of applied technology, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

Multiple awards worth Unmet Tuition + Fees Costs
Deadline Nov 1, 2024
Grade Level High School Senior
Get Started

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

Exclusive
1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2024
Grade Level All Grade Levels

Offered by Scholarships360

Exclusive

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education.Show Less

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2024
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Apply

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Easy Application
1 award worth $2,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students

Offered by Sallie Mae

Easy Application

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

1 award worth $2,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students
Apply

Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest

Offered by Regions Bank

4 awards worth $8,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level HS Seniors, College Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors

Offered by Regions Bank

Are you a Black, college-bound high school senior or current college student who will be enrolled in an accredited university for this upcoming academic year?…Show More

Are you a Black, college-bound high school senior or current college student who will be enrolled in an accredited university for this upcoming academic year?…Show More

Are you a Black, college-bound high school senior or current college student who will be enrolled in an accredited university for this upcoming academic year? If so, you may be eligible for the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest! Each quarter, the contest awards $8,000 to the top four (4) applicants who submit an essay (500 words or less) or a video (3 minutes or less) about how someone they know has (1) inspired them and (2) given them the confidence to achieve their goals. The scholarship is offered four times a year, with deadlines every March, June, September, and December. Bear in mind that applicants must also reside in a state with Regions Bank full-service branches to apply. To find out whether or not your state is eligible, keep on reading. If it is, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

4 awards worth $8,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level HS Seniors, College Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors
Get Started

$40,000 BigFuture Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Easy Application
Multiple awards worth up to $40,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level High School Sophomores & Juniors

Offered by The College Board

Easy Application

Open to US-based high school students in the class of 2025 and 2026 - no essay, no minimum GPA, and no citizenship requirements.

Open to US-based high school students in the class of 2025 and 2026 - no essay, no minimum GPA, and no citizenship requirements.

Open to US-based high school students in the class of 2025 and 2026 - no essay, no minimum GPA, and no citizenship requirements.

Multiple awards worth up to $40,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level High School Sophomores & Juniors
Apply

Gordon Hay Scholarship Fund

Offered by Blumenthal Performing Arts

2 awards worth up to $10,000
Deadline Mar 25, 2024
Grade Level High School Seniors & College Underclassmen

Offered by Blumenthal Performing Arts

Are you a Charlotte, North Carolina or Knoxville, Tennessee-area high school senior, college freshman, or college sophomore planning to pursue a non-performing career in theater?…Show More

Are you a Charlotte, North Carolina or Knoxville, Tennessee-area high school senior, college freshman, or college sophomore planning to pursue a non-performing career in theater?…Show More

Are you a Charlotte, North Carolina or Knoxville, Tennessee-area high school senior, college freshman, or college sophomore planning to pursue a non-performing career in theater? If so, you might consider applying for the Gordon Hay Scholarship! This scholarship is open to students residing within 125 miles of Charlotte, NC or Knoxville, TN who are pursuing a non-performing career in theater and exemplify a strong pursuit of personal excellence, commitment to community engagement, artistic or technical accomplishment, and who have a record of scholarly achievement. Eligible non-performance areas of theater include (but are not limited to): playwriting, set, costume, lighting, or sound design, arts administration, stage management, production management, and technical direction. If you're a student residing near Charlotte, North Carolina or Knoxville, Tennessee, and have a passion for the non-performance areas of theater, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

2 awards worth up to $10,000
Deadline Mar 25, 2024
Grade Level High School Seniors & College Underclassmen
Get Started

Niche $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy Application
1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level All Grade Levels

Offered by Niche

Easy Application

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Apply

Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship

Offered by Southern Automotive Women's Forum

Multiple awards worth $1,000 - $5,000
Deadline Mar 25, 2024
Grade Level College & Graduate Students

Offered by Southern Automotive Women's Forum

The Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship is open to female postsecondary students who are pursuing a STEM degree and interested in a career in STEM.…Show More

The Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship is open to female postsecondary students who are pursuing a STEM degree and interested in a career in STEM.…Show More

The Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship is open to female postsecondary students who are pursuing a STEM degree and interested in a career in STEM. Applicants must be attending an institution in a southern state (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas or West Virginia), and are eligible to earn between $1,000 and $5,000 to go toward their education. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more, and get a headstart on your career.Show Less

Multiple awards worth $1,000 - $5,000
Deadline Mar 25, 2024
Grade Level College & Graduate Students
Get Started

Theodore Mazza Scholarship

Offered by UNICO Foundation Inc.

4 awards worth $1,500
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level High School Senior

Offered by UNICO Foundation Inc.

The Theodore Mazza Scholarship annually awards $1,500 scholarships to four college-bound high school seniors who reside in or have a UNICO Chapter/District sponsor from one…Show More

The Theodore Mazza Scholarship annually awards $1,500 scholarships to four college-bound high school seniors who reside in or have a UNICO Chapter/District sponsor from one…Show More

The Theodore Mazza Scholarship annually awards $1,500 scholarships to four college-bound high school seniors who reside in or have a UNICO Chapter/District sponsor from one of the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or Wisconsin. Applicants must plan on enrolling full-time in an accredited campus-based college/university program in the United States. The scholarships may be renewed for up to four years of an undergraduate program, allowing recipients to earn a total of $6,000 total over their undergraduate career. If you're a high school senior who resides in or has a UNICO Chapter/District sponsor from an eligible state, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

4 awards worth $1,500
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level High School Senior
Get Started

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Easy Application
1 award worth $25,000
Deadline Apr 1, 2024
Grade Level All Grade Levels

Offered by Bold.org

Easy Application

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

1 award worth $25,000
Deadline Apr 1, 2024
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Apply

Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship

Offered by UNICO Foundation Inc.

1 award worth 1,250
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level College Students

Offered by UNICO Foundation Inc.

Are you a full-time, undergraduate student of Italian descent pursuing an Engineering Degree in one of the following areas: electrical, mechanical, industrial, biomedical, chemical, manufacturing,…Show More

Are you a full-time, undergraduate student of Italian descent pursuing an Engineering Degree in one of the following areas: electrical, mechanical, industrial, biomedical, chemical, manufacturing,…Show More

Are you a full-time, undergraduate student of Italian descent pursuing an Engineering Degree in one of the following areas: electrical, mechanical, industrial, biomedical, chemical, manufacturing, aerospace, or computer? Further, do you reside in or have a UNICO Chapter/District sponsor from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or Wisconsin? If so, the Guglielmo Marconi Engineering Scholarship may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,250 to one undergraduate, Italian-American student pursuing a degree in an eligible engineering subfield. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

1 award worth 1,250
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level College Students
Get Started

Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Twisted Pink

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level College Students

Offered by Twisted Pink

The Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship Award is open to young adults who have lost a parent to metastatic breast cancer or have financial hardship…Show More

The Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship Award is open to young adults who have lost a parent to metastatic breast cancer or have financial hardship…Show More

The Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship Award is open to young adults who have lost a parent to metastatic breast cancer or have financial hardship due to a parent currently living with metastatic breast cancer who wishes to seek higher education as a post-high school graduate. At this time scholarship applications will be considered from individuals living in IN, KY, OH, or TN. To apply for the Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship, submit a written essay about the subject of your choice, no more than five pages in length. Applicants should include proof of nominee qualifications either in the form of an obituary, a copy of the death certificate, or a signed letter from the parents’ medical oncologist. Applications should be submitted to: Twisted Pink – Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship Award, 8016 Vinecrest Avenue #2, Louisville, KY 40222. Email applications can be sent to [email protected] with the Subject "Jennifer Casey Alderman Legacy Scholarship Award".Show Less

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level College Students
Get Started

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Easy Application
1 award worth $10,000
Deadline May 1, 2024
Grade Level High School Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors

Offered by CollegeXpress

Easy Application

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline May 1, 2024
Grade Level High School Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors
Apply

Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship

Offered by Southeastern Theatre Conference

1 award worth $2,000
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level High School Senior

Offered by Southeastern Theatre Conference

The Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship is open to high school seniors who will be entering a college or university in the Southeastern Theater Conference (SETC)…Show More

The Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship is open to high school seniors who will be entering a college or university in the Southeastern Theater Conference (SETC)…Show More

The Steve Bayless Undergraduate Scholarship is open to high school seniors who will be entering a college or university in the Southeastern Theater Conference (SETC) region to major in theater. The SETC region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. If you're a college-bound student in the SETC region with a passion for theater, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

1 award worth $2,000
Deadline Apr 15, 2024
Grade Level High School Senior
Get Started

Dependent Children Scholarship Program

Offered by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation

Multiple awards worth $13,260
Deadline Jul 15, 2024
Grade Level College Students

Offered by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation

The Dependent Children Scholarship Program is exclusively designed for dependent children of Tennessee's brave law enforcement officers, firemen, and emergency medical service technicians. If their…Show More

The Dependent Children Scholarship Program is exclusively designed for dependent children of Tennessee's brave law enforcement officers, firemen, and emergency medical service technicians. If their…Show More

The Dependent Children Scholarship Program is exclusively designed for dependent children of Tennessee's brave law enforcement officers, firemen, and emergency medical service technicians. If their heroic parents have tragically lost their lives or suffered permanent disabilities while dutifully serving, this scholarship is here to help. Open to full-time undergraduate students attending an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution, this scholarship offers a chance to pursue one's academic dreams without financial worries. Keep up the good work academically, and this scholarship can support you for up to four academic years. If you're eligible, we encourage you to apply.Show Less

Multiple awards worth $13,260
Deadline Jul 15, 2024
Grade Level College Students
Get Started

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

Easy Application
Monthly awards worth $1,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level High School Freshman, High School Sophomore, High School Junior, College Freshman & College Sophomore

Offered by Appily

Easy Application

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be…Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be…Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month.Show Less

Monthly awards worth $1,000
Deadline Mar 31, 2024
Grade Level High School Freshman, High School Sophomore, High School Junior, College Freshman & College Sophomore
Apply

Bird Dog Foundation Annual Youth Art Contest

Offered by The National Bird Dog Foundation

Multiple awards worth up to $2,000
Deadline Jan 15, 2025
Grade Level High School Students

Offered by The National Bird Dog Foundation

Are you a K-12, art and nature-loving student who lives within a 75-mile radius of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee? If…Show More

Are you a K-12, art and nature-loving student who lives within a 75-mile radius of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee? If…Show More

Are you a K-12, art and nature-loving student who lives within a 75-mile radius of the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee? If so, we may have the perfect opportunity for you: the Bird Dog Foundation Annual Youth Art Contest! Each year, the scholarship awards up to $2,000 to applicants who submit the best art depicting wildlife and related themes such as nature conservation. The contest is hosted by The National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee, which is “dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of bird dog, field trial, and hunting traditions.” If you live within a 75-mile radius of Grand Junction, Tennessee, and want to put your artistic talents to good use, we encourage you to apply!Show Less

Multiple awards worth up to $2,000
Deadline Jan 15, 2025
Grade Level High School Students
Get Started

Noah Thomas Foster Memorial Scholarship

Offered by Queener Law

1 award worth $1,500
Expected deadline March 2025
Grade Level High School Senior

Offered by Queener Law

The Noah Thomas Foster Memorial Scholarship is offered to college-bound high school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college or university. Each…Show More

The Noah Thomas Foster Memorial Scholarship is offered to college-bound high school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college or university. Each…Show More

The Noah Thomas Foster Memorial Scholarship is offered to college-bound high school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college or university. Each year, it awards $1,500 to one (1) high school senior from Tennessee, Kentucky, or Colorado. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.Show Less

1 award worth $1,500
Expected deadline March 2025
Grade Level High School Senior
Get Started

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship

This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Easy Application
1 award worth $5,000
Deadline May 31, 2024
Grade Level High School Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors

Offered by Christian Connector

Easy Application

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

1 award worth $5,000
Deadline May 31, 2024
Grade Level High School Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors
Apply

TEA Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Al Mance Memorial Ethnic Minority Male Scholarship

Offered by Tennessee Education Association

1 award worth $1,000
Expected deadline March 2025
Grade Level College & Graduate Students

Offered by Tennessee Education Association

The TEA Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Al Mance Memorial Ethnic Minority Male Scholarship awards $1,000 to one male ethnic minority undergraduate or graduate student who is…Show More

The TEA Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Al Mance Memorial Ethnic Minority Male Scholarship awards $1,000 to one male ethnic minority undergraduate or graduate student who is…Show More

The TEA Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Al Mance Memorial Ethnic Minority Male Scholarship awards $1,000 to one male ethnic minority undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled in a Tennessee college or university and who is preparing to become a teacher.Show Less

1 award worth $1,000
Expected deadline March 2025
Grade Level College & Graduate Students
Get Started
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How to win Tennessee scholarships

Tennessee is a perfect state for you to pursue your degree as it is home to lots of big cities, small towns, country music, beautiful mountains, and lots more. In order to win Tennessee scholarships and make your educational journey affordable, you will need to connect what makes Tennessee special to what makes you special. 

For example, perhaps you grew up going to small country shows in Nashville watching suture music stars be discovered and now you want to be a PR agent. Or perhaps hiking the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains inspired your interest in becoming a park ranger. Whatever your personal interests, connect it back to your life as a Tennessean (or a hopeful future Tennessean!) This will help you stand out in the scholarship application pool and demonstrate how much the state of Tennessee means to you. 

By embracing your individuality and connecting it to the awesome characteristics of Tennessee, you can make a compelling case for why you are deserving of Tennessee scholarships. Celebrate your commitment to the “Volunteer State” in order to increase your chances of winning Tennessee scholarships! 

Writing resources for writing Tennessee scholarship essays

Tennessee scholarships may require you to write an essay about yourself which can range anywhere from a 250 word essay to a 500 word essay. These scholarships may prefer you to write a scholarship resume. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 guide to finding and winning scholarships. Additionally, check out how to start and how to end a scholarship essay to ensure your scholarship essay will be flawless from head to toe! 

Tennessee student debt snapshot

According to the Department of Education, in total, Tennessee residents owe $31.4 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $36,418 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 51.8% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!

Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships in Tennessee colleges, as well as some top scholarships in Tennessee!

Merit scholarship at Tennessee colleges and universities

University of Tennessee

  • Eligibility: First year students who demonstrate high academic performance
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: December 15

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

  • Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who meet a wide range of competitive criteria 
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: Admission to University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Vanderbilt University

  • Eligibility: First year students who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and intellectual promise, are typically in the top 1% of freshmen applicants
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: December 1

Rhodes College

  • Eligibility: Freshmen who demonstrate academic talent, service and leadership achievements
  • Amount: $28,000 up to $40,000
  • Deadline: December 1

University of Memphis

  • Eligibility: First year students based on a combination of cumulative high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores
  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: December 1

Belmont University

  • Eligibility: Admitted first year students with strong academic credentials with a 27+ ACT, 1240+ SAT and a 3.7+ GPA
  • Amount: $3,000 up to $12,000
  • Deadline: Admission to Belmont University

Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity

In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.

Here are a few well-known Tennessee universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:

University of Tennessee

  • In-state tuition: $13,244
  • Out-of-state tuition: $31,664

University of Memphis

  • In-state tuition: $10,344
  • Out-of-state tuition: $21,264

How do you get in-state tuition? 

Being a Tennessee resident significantly reduces the price of tuition at Tennessee institutions. In order to become a Tennessee resident for tuition purposes, you will need to physically reside in the state of Tennessee for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the start of college. Additionally, you will need to demonstrate an intent to establish Tennessee as your primary domicile rather than residing in the state solely for education purposes. Some ways to establish intent is by obtaining a Tennessee driver’s license, registering to vote in Tennessee, and filing taxes in Tennessee. Some Tennessee institutions may consider additional factors when determining residency status, so double check with your intended institution on their residency requirements! 

Does Tennessee offer tuition reciprocity? 

Yes, Tennessee is a member state of the Academic Common Market which is a tuition reciprocity program among select Southern states. This means that favorable college tuition rates may be available in nearby states. 

Additional Tennessee resources

College Pays TN

This is a “one stop shopping” website for Tennessee students, including financial aid and FAFSA information. The website includes resources to assist not only high school, current college students, and adults returning to college, but also for families interested in college planning for their school age children. Bookmark this one!

FAFSA Guide

Remember, the FAFSA opens up in October and the sooner you complete it, the better. The FAFSA deadline in Tennessee is February 1st of each year. If you are looking for step-by-step guidance on the FAFSA, you can check out our FAFSA guide for assistance.

Frequently asked questions about Tennessee scholarships

What type of scholarships does Tennessee offer?

Tennessee offers a lot of different types of scholarships both for Tennessee residents and out-of-state students. These scholarships may include need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships and scholarships specific to a certain demographic.

Do I need to be a Tennessee resident to receive Tennessee scholarships?

Not necessarily! Many Tennessee scholarships may require applicants to be residents; however, there are also many scholarships that are open to non-Tennessee residents. Ultimately, make sure you are researching scholarships that you fit the eligibility criteria for!

Can international students apply for Tennessee scholarships?

Some Tennessee scholarships may be available to international students while others are specifically for U.S. citizens. You should check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship to determine if you are eligible to apply!
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